Longboat's 7-Eleven could vanish

7-Eleven Longboat Key Manager Tom Phillips said he’s not 100% sure that his store is closing but that he and his staff are preparing for a June 30 closure nonetheless.

According to Phillips, the corporate store’s 15-year lease is up in June, and the owner of the plaza, Reid Savidge, has not entered into negotiations with the Dallas-based convenience store company for a new lease.

Savidge, who could not be reached for comment, is the owner of both the Longboat Key and Holmes Beach Ace Hardware stores.

Phillips said employees were issued a statement announcing the store’s pending closing. But Phillips is hopeful a lease can be negotiated.

“It’s a lease issue only,” said Phillips, who estimates his store services 500 customers daily. “It has nothing to do with our business, which is doing great.”